Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage

Vol. 25 No. 3 A Publication of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association September 2015

Great Ways to Experience Shipwrecks

There are many ways to explore the More information is at: county-wi/baileys-harbor-wi- maritime history of the Great Lakes. http://lakeshore- activities/door-county-kayak-tours/ Dive charters offer scuba diving as a adventures.com/door-county-scuba- or email: [email protected] way to visit the Great Lakes diving/snorkeling shipwrecks. Beyond submerging or email: http://lakeshore- Example Kayak Tour: Lakeshore yourself beneath the great freshwater adventures.com/contact-us Adventures, Baileys Harbor, Door seas of the Midwest, the non-diver County, Wisconsin – “Clear Bottom also has many opportunities to By Kayak Kayak Tours: These fully guided experience the Great Lakes maritime Example Kayak Tour: Gravity and narrated clear bottom kayak history. The following information Trails, Door County Kayak Tours – tours, travel through the waters of was taken from numerous websites. “You use clear bottom kayaks to ex- Baileys Harbor and Cave Point. WUAA does not endorse any of plore The North Bay Shipwrecks. These one of a kind tours all offer these organizations. This shipwreck and wildlife tour is something exciting and different by the ideal tour for nature lovers and giving you an incredible underwater By Snorkeling shipwreck enthusiasts alike. Explore view of the area. From 1800’s ship- Example Snorkel Tour: Lakeshore the bay with our new and amazing wrecks, to various fish species, to Adventures, Baileys Harbor, Door Clear Bottom Kayaks!...Many ships amazing rock formations and histori- County, Wisconsin – “Fun for the were no match for the powerful cal landmarks, there is something for whole family! When looking for storms and gales that the area everyone….2 to 3 hrs.” what to do in Door County, you can produces….Today the bay is scat- dive, swim, & snorkel your way into tered with shipwrecks, many that are More information is at: the rich maritime history of Baileys still visible in the shallow waters. http://lakeshore- Harbor & its surrounding waters. The most famous shipwrecks include adventures.com/door-county-kayak- Explore several shallow 1800′s the Cherubusco that sank in 1872, tours shipwrecks in this one of a kind the G.J. Tracy 1881, and the A. or email: http://lakeshore- underwater adventure. Pontoon boat Bronson 1875….Your kayak tour adventures.com/contact-us with captain and crew, masks, will last about 2-3 hours.” snorkels, fins, and life jackets. More information is at: Approximately a 2 hr trip.” http://www.gravitytrails.com/door- continued on page 2 2 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2015

Ways to Experience Great Lakes Shipwrecks continued from page 1

By Sail: Experience Sail and Mari- Great Lakes Lighthouses as they vation groups, artists, authors and time history on board! should be seen, from the water. more.” More information is at: Example Tours: Appledore Tall- Their knowledgeable Captains and http://lighthousefestival.org/ ships, Saginaw, – “These crew show cliffs, caves, lighthouses, tours operate from late April through shipwreck locations, waterfront es- Example Lighthouse Tours: Copper October. The Appledore Schooners tates and share local history and nau- Harbor Lighthouse Tours, Ke- sail the waters of the Saginaw River tical folklore. They have three boats weenaw, Michigan – “These tours and Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. departing from Sister Bay, Gills operate from the middle of May to They can accommodate groups of up Rock, or Washington Island. Travel- the middle of October. The tour of to 48 with space enough for every- ers can choose from either one of the Copper Harbor Lighthouse “en- one to have a cushioned seat. They their daily tours or charter a boat pri- compasses a total lighthouse experi- offer a wide variety of meal options, vately and create their own adven- ence, including a ride in a boat from a simple boxed lunch, to cus- ture.” similar to an early 20th century tom ordered gourmet menus with More information is at: lighthouse launch. Because light- on-board chef's action stations. “ http://shorelinecharters.net/ or houses are built in treacherous wa- More information is at: email: ters, it took a versatile boat to ferry http://www.baysailbaycity.org/ [email protected] supplies to light keepers and their families. Our navy motorwhale com- Example Tours: The S/V Denis Sul- Example Shipwreck Tour: Glass bines shallow draft, maneuverability, livan – “The S/V Denis Sullivan Bottom Shipwreck Tours, Munising, and the capacity to run in heavy schooner is a modern educational Michigan – “This glass-bottom boat seas. The time-proven ‘double- sailing vessel with two diesel en- tour takes approximately two hours ender’ hull design and dimensions of gines, a scientific laboratory, two and visits three different shipwreck our launch are identical to the early computer workstations, and modern sites, a historic lighthouse, Grand wooden boats of the United States communication and navigation Island, and Munising Bay. Grand Lighthouse Service which tended to equipment. She maintains single Island is an interesting place all on the needs of the light keepers of the bunks in co-ed areas, shared toilets its own with its’ rich history, sandy Keweenaw Peninsula. You will ar- (heads) and showers, and limited beaches and colorful sandstone cliffs rive at Hayes Point just as the light storage. The vessel can carry up to and caves. North American Bald Ea- keepers did over 150 years before 50 passengers on day sails and 21 gles are often spotted all throughout you.” participants overnight. She is com- the trip as they nest along the More information is at: plemented by a professional crew of shoreline. Trips are scheduled daily http://www.copperharborlighthouset ten. The S/V Denis Sullivan provides from Memorial weekend until the ours.com/ an array of genuine maritime experi- second week of October.” ences, from two-hour Lake Watches More information is at: On Maritime–Related Trails: for families to multi-day educational http://shipwrecktours.com/ or email: Example Maritime Trail: Wiscon- sails for teens and adults.” http://shipwrecktours.com/contact/ sin’s Maritime Trails – “The Wis- More information is at: consin Maritime Trails program is http://www.discoveryworld.org/exhi By Land: more than just a traditional ‘trail.’ bits/sailing-vessel-denis-sullivan/ Example Lighthouse Tours: “Great Through Web sites, interpretive sig- Lakes Lighthouse Festival, Alpena, nage, public presentations, and ship- By Motorized Boat: Experience Michigan – This is a four day event wreck moorings, the Maritime Trails Maritime history by a motarized ves- being held this year October 8-11 initiative encourages divers, snorkel- sel! and including lighthouse tours (aeri- ers, boaters, maritime enthusiasts, Example Shipwreck Tour: Shoreline al, boat or personal vehicle), enter- and tourists to visit and enjoy Wis- Charters, Door County, Wisconsin – tainment, and vendors. The festival consin's diverse collection of mari- “This tour offers scenic cruises and boasts over 100 maritime related time resources. see the Door County Peninsula and vendors including lighthouse preser-

continued on page 3 3 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2015

Ways to Experience Great Lakes Shipwrecks continued from page 2

A collaborative effort between which features a boardwalk and a Great Lakes Lore Maritime the Wisconsin Historical pedestrian bridge, historically- Museum – Rogers City, Society and the University of themed riverfront park, historic Michigan. More information is at: Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, docks, and outdoor interpretive http://gllmm.com/ the Maritime Trails initiative also Michigan Maritime Museum, signage.” seeks to document, preserve, and South Haven, Michigan. More protect the state's submerged More information is at: information is at: archaeological sites. “ http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/educat http://www.michiganmaritimemu More information is at: seum.org/ ion/trail/welcome.html http://www.maritimetrails.org/ Dossin Great Lakes Museum, From Museums: , Michigan. More Example Maritime Trail: Examples in Wisconsin - information is at: Mariner’sTrail – “Mariners Trail Manitowoc Maritime Museum, http://detroithistorical.org/about- is a 5.5 mile recreational trail Manitowoc, Wisconsin. More us/our-museums/dossin-great- along the shore of information is at: lakes-museum between Manitowoc and Two http://www.wisconsinmaritime.or Thunder Bay National Marine Rivers in east central Wisconsin. g/index.php Sanctuary, Alpena, Michigan. The paved surface accommodates Door County Maritime Museum, More information is at: walkers, joggers, bikers, and in- Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. More http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/mariti line skaters.” information is at: me/glmhc.html More information is at: http://www.dcmm.org/ Great Lakes Maritime Center, http://marinerstrail.net/aboutus. Gils Rock Museum, Gils Rock, Port Huron, Michigan. More htm Wisconsin. More information is information is at: at: http://www.dcmm.org/gills- http://www.achesonventures.com/ rock-museum/ MaritimeCenter.aspx Example Maritime Trail: Great Discovery World, Milwaukee, West Shore Fishing Museum, Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail, Wisconsin. More information is Menominee, Michigan. More Alpena, Michigan – NOAA and at: information is at: the National Marine Sanctuary http://www.discoveryworld.org/ https://www.facebook.com/West established the Great Lakes Neville Museum, Green Bay, ShoreMuseum?rf=117588044926 Maritime Heritage Trail to Wisconsin. More information is 509 Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime promote and interpret “Northeast at: http://www.nevillepublicmuseum. Museum, Mackinaw City, Michigan’s rich maritime org/ Michigan. More information is at: heritage. By providing innovative http://themackinaw.org/ interpretation that enhances Examples in Michigan - individuals’ experiences while Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Example in Indiana - accessing maritime resources, the and Whitefish Point Light Michigan City Old Lighthouse trail fosters an appreciation for Station, Whitefish Point, Museum, Michigan City, Indiana. the Great Lakes and their rich Paradise, Michigan. More More information is at: http://oldlighthousemuseum.org/ history. The sanctuary has information is at: http://www.shipwreckmuseum. established segments of the trail com/ along the Thunder Bay River, 4 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2015

Great Lakes Vessel Photography by Brendon Baillod

I receive many requests for photos people would pay to have a schooner of his day and ironically was lost in of Great Lakes vessels. In some photographed. Nearly all photos the sinking of the Titanic. cases, I can easily locate an original taken before 1880 are consequently photo of the vessel an individual is of steamers, often with Many early paintings and looking for, particularly if the vessel unidentifiable schooners in the lithographs exist of Great Lakes th sailed in the 20 century. background. One exception is an vessels at various collections around 1864 photo of the schooner George the Lakes. The most important However, significant problems arise W. Ford, taken at Ontonagon, repositories for early Lake vessel in locating 19th century vessel photos Michigan. paintings and lithographs are: and few people are aware of the scarcity of early Great Lakes vessel The Civil War was one of the major The Great Lakes Historical Society photos. This article is designed to impetuses for the growth of field – Vermilion, Ohio help people determine if a particular photography and as such, more The Marine Museum of the Great vessel image is likely to exist and Great Lakes vessels began to be Lakes – Kingston, Ontario where they might locate it. photographed. Still, less than 100 The Dossin Maritime Museum – photos of Great Lakes vessels are Detroit, Michigan To begin the discussion, a short believed to exist prior to 1865. After The Thunder Bay National Marine history of photography is helpful. the Civil War, photography became Sanctuary – Alpena, Michigan The first successful photographic less expensive and many Great The Milwaukee Public Library – image was made in 1827, but Lakes steamers were photographed. Milwaukee, Wisconsin photography didn’t become available However, the vast majority of outside the laboratory until about steamers on the Lakes weren’t The Historical Collections of the 1840 with the Daguerreotype. These photographed until the 1880s. Great Lakes – Perrysburg, Ohio photos cost nearly a week’s wages Many other small collections hold for the average worker. It wasn’t Many early steamers, however, were early Lake vessel lithos and until about 1851 that the Collodion drawn by noted artists. Among the paintings as well, but they can be process made photography of most important early Lake artists difficult to locate. Most of the moving objects possible, and was Captain James Van Cleve. Van important early Lake vessel lithos photographers didn’t take much Cleve served on Lake vessels in the and paintings have been reproduced interest in Great Lakes vessel 1820s – 1850s and was an in books and periodicals at some photography until after 1860. As accomplished artist. He prepared a point and can be located through such, there are no known photos of series of hand drawn manuscripts their citation in the literature. Great Lakes vessels prior to 1851. depicting the earliest Great Lakes vessels from the 1820s – 1850s, Great Lakes divers and historians The earliest known photo of a Great drawn from his memory of them. will be disappointed to learn that the Lakes vessel is a Daguerreotype of Only a few original Van Cleve vast majority of Great Lakes vessels the steamer Mayflower as she lay on manuscripts still exist, but they are were never photographed. It wasn’t the beach near Conneaut, Ohio, in excellent sources for accurate views until after 1890 that even half of the the winter of 1852/53. Very few of important, early Lake vessels. registered vessels on the Lakes were other photos of Great Lakes vessels Another good source for early vessel photographed. There are numerous are known from the 1850s. A shot of drawings is Samuel Ward Stanton’s instances of Lake schooners that the Lady Elgin at Northport, epic work American Steam Vessels. sailed well into the 20th century, for Michigan, from about 1858 exists Published in 1895, the work includes which no known photograph exists. along with a handful (perhaps 4 or 5) both ocean and Lake vessels from Prior to 1890, the odds of finding a other vessel photos believed to be the 1820s to the 1890s. Stanton’s photo of a given Lake vessel are not from the 1850s. Very few schooners drawings are done mostly from good, unless the vessel was a were photographed until the late 19th original lithographs. Stanton was one passenger steamer or had some century. They were considered of the most prominent marine artists notoriety. unglamorous work vessels and few continued on page 5 5 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2015

continued from page 4 Great Lakes Vessel Photography by Brendon Baillod

The table below reflects the It should be noted that certain sub The three largest public collections estimated odds of finding an image types within steamers and schooners with online searchable vessel photo of any known vessel from a given are over or under represented in indexes are the Historical period of time. It is estimated using images. Work tugs and freight Collections of the Great Lakes at the number of commercial vessels steamers are obviously far less Bowling Green State University, the known on the Lakes during any common in images than passenger Thunder Bay National Marine period divided by the number of steamers. Likewise, scow schooners Sanctuary and the Milwaukee Public vessel images known from that are also far less common in images. Library. period. Percentages between 0% and 1% are shown as 0.1%, but are In the 1900s, vessel photography In addition to these collections, those generally much lower. became far more common and nearly noted above for lithographs also all substantial commercial vessels have substantial photo collections. As an example, the table indicates were photographed. The only Several private individuals have that 3 of every 100 schooners on the commercial vessels that sometimes amassed substantial Great Lakes Lakes in the 1870s were escaped photography after 1900 vessel photo collections as well. photographed during that period. were scow schooners, fish tugs and Among these collectors are C. Likewise, 10 of every 100 steamers some work tugs. Photographers such Patrick Labadie, Ralph Roberts and on the Lakes during the 1870s were as Andrew Young and Louis Pesha Ken Thro. photographed during that period. amassed huge collections of Great Conversely, 3/4ths of the steamers Lakes vessel images in the late Some problems have arisen on the Lakes in the 1890s were 1890s and early 1900s. Young’s concerning the provenance of Great photographed during that period, but collection contains several thousand Lakes vessel images. A small less than half of the schooners on the images and is now at the Canadian handful of photographers and Lakes in the 1890s were National Archives at Ottawa. original collectors created and/or photographed during that period. assembled nearly all known photo Individuals looking for photos of collections around the Lakes. The The odds of finding Lake vessel historic Lake vessels should begin collections of the late Rick Wright, photos and images are estimated as their search by checking the most Ralph Roberts, Herman Runge, follows in the table below: popular online indexes. Louis Pesha, Pat Labadie, Andrew Young and Ken Thro probably account for 90% of the known historic photos of Great Lakes vessels. All of these photographers/collectors traded images and it is consequently difficult to determine which collection to credit a given image to. As a general rule, I credit an image to the collection that made the print I am using. 6 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2015

Members’ Column: Your Voice - Your Ideas

Sea of Darkness: Book Review Grape Shot Shipwreck Field by Robert Lijewski School 2015 by Kevin Cullen

I thought I had written my last book Several WUAA members recently report fifty years ago, give or take a participated in an underwater year or two. That was before I read archaeology field school (August the book SEA OF DARKNESS by 23-30, 2015) to assist with the Brian Hicks and published by SPRY documentation of the shipwreck Publishing. Grape Shot, located near Plum Island, off the northern Door County If you like American Civil War peninsula. The field school was history, underwater archeology and organized by the Wisconsin restoration of artifacts, then this Historical Society’s Maritime book is a must read. SEA OF Preservation and Archaeology Figure 1. Gretchen Dominowski and DARKNESS tells the history of the Program, with the participation of Sam Schnibben mapping the Confederate submarine Hunley from other volunteers. The program was shipwreck Grape Shot August 2015 the drawing board of Horace funded through a generous grant Hunley, its sinking of the USS from the Wisconsin Coastal Housatonic and its disappearance Management Program. The schooner Grape Shot was built after the sea battle. in 1855 at the yard of B.B. Jones in Eight students and four instructors Buffalo, New York. She carried two The book also goes into detail participated in the eight day survey masts, and measured 129.67 ft. long, regarding the search for the missing to train divers in underwater 23.35 ft. in breadth, with a 10.3 ft. sub, its ultimate discovery and the archaeology methods. An additional depth of hold. For much of her red tape Clive Cussler and his group goal of the program was to create a career, she hauled grain from had to cut through to raise the sub. site plan that would provide Chicago or Milwaukee to the eastern After the raising of the sub, Brian supporting documentation for a Great Lakes and returned to Lake Hicks details the removal and National Register of Historic Places Michigan with coal. During a storm restoration of the artifacts that were nomination for the shipwreck site. over the first few days of November found. There are also a series of This opportunity also met the level I 1867, the Grape Shot grounded on pictures showing the raising of the certification for the Nautical Plum Island (Northern Door Co., sub, its restoration and some of the Archaeology Society training WI) with a cargo of lumber. No lives artifacts that were aboard the program. were lost. Hunley. Stay tuned for more information on I felt the book was well written. One the fieldwork results, as well as a chapter would deal with the history rendering of the final site plan. of the Hunley and the next chapter covered the 20th century search for the sub and so forth. The price of the book ranges from about $15 to $27, from book stores or online. Figure 2. WUAA members Bob Lijewski and Zac Stencil goofing off after a sucessful dive 7 Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage September 2015

WUAA Annual Conference WUAA Welcome

The 2015 Annual meeting and Membership Renewal WUAA would like to welcome Conference will be held on October October is membership renewal Richard Laiacona as the new 10, 2015, at the Neville Museum, month. You may renew by filling out webmaster. Richard has a degree in 210 Mueum Place, Green Bay, WI the enclosed membership form and Journalism and Graphic Design. His 54303-2760 sending it along with your check to career has been split between (920) 448-4460 the address on the bottom of the technical writing and illustrating Website is form or you may renew online at heavy equipment manuals and http://www.nevillepublicmuseum. www.wuaa.org. building websites since he graduated org/ in 1992. Currently, he works as WUAA Members’ Column: Request aweb developer for Carroll Agenda and Speakers To Be for Submissions. Please send in any University, IT & Communications, Announced article or idea you might have, and Marketing departments. Richard including research you have done, can read and write many computer and/or descriptions of your languages. He has been diving since experiences while diving on any of 2002, has his Advanced Open Water, our projects. Nitrox and DrySuit certifications, and likes to dive everywhere. New T-Shirts

New WUAA T-shirts have been designed and are on display at the website. They can be ordered in the following sizes: S, M, L, XL. Short-sleeved shirts are $20 ($22 for 2XL) and long-sleeved shirts are $25 ($27 for 2XL). For mail orders, there is a $7 shipping charge. To order, go online: www.wuaa.org. Wisconsin’s Underwater Heritage is published quarterly by the website: President: Directors: Wisconsin Underwater Archeology www.wuaa.org Kevin Cullen Russel Leitz Association, a nonprofit association Green Bay Waupaca of individuals and organizations Facebook: interested in studying and preserving Vice-President: Rick Hake the underwater cultural resources email: Brendon Baillod Milwaukee and historical sites of Wisconsin. wuaa1990@ Marshall gmail.com Robert Lijewski In addition to publishing this news- Treasurer: Muskego letter, the association also holds an Mail Correspon- Lee Hintz annual meeting and provides support dence to: Mequon for members’ research and publication WUAA projects. Annual membership dues PO Box 510173 are $20. For membership information Milwaukee, WI write to the postal address or visit 53203-0031 the website. Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association P.O. Box 510173 Milwaukee, WI 53203-0031

For those interested in the study and preservation of Wisconsin’s underwater history and cultural resources

Coming Events

September 10, 2015 Association for Great Lakes Maritime Annual Meeting and Maritime History Conference Manitowoc Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin http://www.aglmh.net/

October 10, 2015 WUAA Annual Meeting Neville Museum, Green Bay, Wisconsin

October 14-15, 2015 Maritime Cultural Landscape Symposium Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

October 28-30, 2015 9th Biennial State of Lake Michigan and 15th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Joint Conference Grand Traverse resort and Spa, Grand traverse, Michigan‏ https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/default.aspx?EventID=1750155

November 10, 2015 Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise Michigan: 40th Anniversary Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/events-129/